The condition of our hair can greatly affect our confidence.
We use our mane to express our personality and for many, our long locks can act as a safety blanket. It’s why we often switch up our style after a major life event like a break-up. New hair, new chapter. New you.
It comes as no surprise then, that when it’s dull, dry, thinning or shedding, we try all manner of serums, creams and sprays to rectify the situation and fortify our strands. But good hair care should always start from the inside out.
Nutrition plays a huge role in the condition of our tresses where a balanced and varied diet is key to the enviable locks that we all dream of, but sometimes it’s not always possible to get every nutrient, mineral and vitamin from our food alone, which is where a supplement comes in.
There are ingredients like biotin that are synonymous with hair growth as well as vitamins C, D, B12, iron, copper and selenium - but one you may not have considered is collagen. This beauty buzzword is typically associated with maintaining a youthful complexion but it can work triple duty, treating not just the skin but our hair and nails too.
What is collagen?
Collagen is often referred to as the scaffolding of the skin as it acts as structural support. “Collagen is considered a type of structural protein in our tissues that our body produces”, Hannah Gaboardi, trichologist and Viviscal Brand Ambassador explains. “It can be found in the bones, skin and muscles. Collagen can be used for healing, and also to enhance our skin”. The component plays a crucial role in the healthy maintenance of the hair follicle and is found in the skin tissue. It works to surround the follicle to strengthen it and support growth and development.
Does collagen help hair growth?
In short, yes. “Taking collagen can support in improving hair and scalp health” Gaboardi confirms. “As we age, our body produces less collagen and is unable to replenish the cells in our dermis as efficiently as it once did. This can be one of the reasons hair gets thinner over time – collagen levels in the scalp skin deplete. Therefore, providing the body with collagen can help to maintain a healthy skin dermis and prevent overall hair thinning and loss”.
How many mg of collagen per day should you take for hair growth?
The trichologist recommends marine collagen over alternative bovine or vegan sources. “Marine collagen is known to be better for hair regrowth, and therefore it has been suggested to take between 5-10g of collagen per day”. Her favourite Viviscal Healthy Hair Vitamins are made up of a marine-rich protein complex “which includes your sufficient daily dose of collagen for healthy hair growth and maintenance, as well as for repairing hair cells”.
What is the best form for consumption?
Collagen comes in many forms; tablets, powders, drinks and even gummies - so which is best to ensure maximum absorbency? “It is suggested that supplements in the form of tablets or powders are believed to be the best form of consuming collagen”, says Gaboardi. “This is because oral consumption can be effectively absorbed by the body”.
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Viviscal Hair Growth Programme 60 Tablets
Taking Viviscal for a three to six-month period will have a noticeable effect on the length and thickness of your locks. It is not a quick fix so don’t expect to see an overnight hair transformation but you will begin to see the difference in your hair. It becomes shinier, thicker and appears more dense. This is possible through a clinically researched mix of nutrients, minerals and proteins.
Zinc maintains the health of your hair, while vitamin B derivative biotin encourages the growth of both locks and nails. AminoMar C is marine-derived to support your natural protein development and fortify each strand. Silica encourages the production of collagen and last but not least, the supplement is also packed with iron to support your red blood cell creation and immune system.
Buy now £29.99, Holland & Barrett
Vida Glow Natural Marine Collagen Sachets
Best for: anti-ageing while encouraging baby hair growth
Vida Glow’s game-changing supplement is derived from sustainably sourced fish skin that is activated for potency and stimulates the body’s natural production of collagen. It has been clinically proven to answer anti-ageing concerns like fine lines and wrinkles as well as has firming, plumping and elasticity-boosting properties.
The powdered texture (and hydrolysation process) encourages a better absorption and the blueberry, peach, pineapple or mango flavouring enhances the taste of your morning porridge or hot beverage - and counteracts the often unpleasant taste that these supplements can have. On top of the skin benefits, it also strengthens nails and thickens hair with impressive regrowth abilities. Take one to three sachets a day depending on your age (just one for 25-35, two for 36-45 and three for 45+).
Buy now £39.00, Vida Glow
Revive Collagen Premium 8,500mg Hydrolysed Marine Collagen Drink
These supplements from Revive Collagen are some of the most highly rated on the market, not in the least due to their high strength contents where each sachet contains an impressive 8,500mg of the protein-building Type 1 hydrolysed marine collagen. This is sourced from ethically farmed fish skin, which may not be the most pleasant sounding but fear not as they are flavoured with lemon and lime, so you can slip the shot into your daily routine, whether you prefer adding to other drinks - be it a smoothie or cuppa - or down in one.
Alongside collagen, these dietary add-ons are brimming with vitamins, namely B6, B12, C and D which are known for their immunity-boosting and antioxidant properties respectively. The ingredients are all naturally derived without any nasties or gluten, dairy, soy and the like, while the taste comes from a plant-based sweetener. This supplement was created to benefit skin, hair and nails, offering a plumping effect to fine lines.
Buy now £36.99, Amazon
WelleCo The Collagen Elixir
Best for: celeb status
Founded by Australian-born supermodel Elle Macpherson, Collagen Elixir by WelleCo is a powerful blend of sustainably sourced marine collagen peptides. The supplement is formulated with natural vitamin C from acerola cherry and beetroot, hyaluronic acid, silica and digestive enzymes that help the body to hydrate for healthy, radiant skin, strong nails and thicker hair.
Each serving, which can be added to any drink or smoothie, contains 3500mg of marine collagen giving you a blast of the good stuff. Made in Australia, the flavour-free powder is on the pricier scale of our list but if you do want to channel your inner runway queen, then it’ll cost you…
Buy now £45.00, Cult Beauty
Vital Proteins collagen
Best for: Jennifer Aniston’s collagen of choice
Given the seal of approval by the eternally youthful Jennifer Aniston (who is the brand’s Chief Creative Officer), Vital Protein is one of the biggest collagen names in the US. The brand uses grass-fed bovine collagen to craft its supplements that are flavoured with vanilla, coconut and matcha and yet are gluten, soy and dairy-free. There are also no artificial ingredients, bulking agents, sweeteners or sugars.
The powdered texture dissolves easily into hot or cold drinks (Jen adds it to her morning cuppa) or can be blended into smoothies or sprinkled on porridge. While fortifying our skin, hair and nails, it also works to support your bones, muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments at the same time.
Buy now £24.99, Holland & Barrett
Vitabiotics Perfectil Plus Hair - 60 Tablets
This three-in-one supplement takes on your hair, skin and nails to improve their condition and health. The two-daily dietary addition brings together a carefully curated selection of micronutrients; selenium, niacin or vitamin B3 as it is also known, zinc, iodine, vitamin C, and of course, biotin.
These ingredients work together to stimulate collagen function, support your locks, and strengthen brittle nails. Consistency is key so stick with the supplements to maximise the results.
Buy now £20.00, Boots
The Beauty Chef GLOW Inner Beauty Essential
Best for: a nutrient-packed formula
For all your beauty supplement needs, The Beauty Chef has bundled all the good stuff into its Glow formula that boosts collagen production, while also supporting the look and feel of your skin, nails, luminosity and gut health. It’s an all-encompassing beauty powerhouse that includes 18 certified organic whole foods.
There are the likes of vitamin C for that all-important fight against collagen depletion, zinc for healthy hair and nails, vitamins A and B, probiotics, postbiotics and more that have antioxidant benefits, more nutrients than you can shake a stick at and through the brand’s trademarked bio-fermentation process, it takes it to the next level for balancing the bacteria of the gut. Best of all, the taste is much more bearable than some of the others on the market.
Buy now £45.00, John Lewis
JSHealth Vitality X + Collagen Powder
Best for: a sustainable option packed with nutrients
Using sustainably-sourced Marine Collagen peptides, add just a spoonful of this powder to your morning beverage to maximise the youth-inducing effects. The collagen is activated through a hydrolysation process to ensure maximum absorption and efficacy. Derived from wild cod skin, this type 1 collagen is said to be 1.5 times more effective than bovine or porcine and will encourage cell repair to minimise the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Paired with nutrients and botanicals including Vitamin C, silica, aloe vera, turmeric, and vitamin E, it also gives skin a hit of hydration and will support digestive health as well as that of your hair. You’ll notice a brighter complexion in just a month. It also has a tasty citrus flavour.
Buy now £44.99, JSHealth
Hair, Skin and Nails Gummies
You may have already nailed down your topical hair, skincare and makeup routine but as is reinforced to us since childhood, true beauty comes from within so everything you put into your body can affect you. By incorporating this multivitamin into your routine, you can maintain the healthy condition of your hair, skin and nails.
Made up of vitamin C, zinc, biotin, and selenium, it will kickstart the creation of collagen, prevent oxidative stress and give your digits and tresses the nutrients they need for strength and growth. In just a month or so, you will notice your nails feel less brittle and your hair appears shinier.
Buy now £10.99, My Vitamins
So Body Co Peptigen+ Multi Collagen
Best for: five types of collagen
So Body Co’s Peptigen+ Multi Collagen caught our attention as it’s the only collagen powder in the UK to contain five types of essential collagen protein. This ensures that each serving is brimming with the key nutrients in all forms - including bovine, fish and eggshell.
It’s an all-natural supplement that targets more than just fine lines and wrinkles and actually works to help joint strength and mobility by supporting circulation and elasticity and repairing muscles as well as gut and digestive health. It’s a multitasking dietary add-on that also encourages healthy hair, shielding against hair loss.
Price for three.
Buy now £89.99, Amazon
Bioglan Collagen Tablets
Best for: hair, skin and nails
This is one of the most highly rated collagen tablets on Amazon with nearly 300 five-star reviews waxing lyrical about the condition of their hair, skin and nails after taking the supplements. Some of the benefits include strengthening the strands, fortifying the nails and softening and hydrating the skin. Marine collagen is included in high strength with 2500mg per capsule and is set alongside hyaluronic acid, resveratrol, biotin, selenium and vitamin C.
Buy now £18.00, Amazon
